Schedule 1 - None
Climate Change Bill [Lords]
8:55 pm
Martin Horwood (Shadow Minister (Environment), Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)
It is delightful to be resuming our business, even at this slightly late hour. I congratulate all those Labour Members present on their stamina, although I warn them that Liberal Democrats will talk about climate change until Christmas if given half a chance. However, I shall try to be brief in the interests of everyone’s blood pressure.
We are happy to support amendments Nos. 58 and 61. Amendment No. 58 is wise. It would increase the potential for a diverse committee with a range of expertise, while amendment No. 61 quite rightly seems designed to reinforce Select Committee scrutiny. Amendment No. 59 and its derivative, amendment No. 62, would give an interesting role to a charitable body, the Royal Society, which also has within its charitable objects and strategies the remit to influence the Government’s policy, so in a sense it is a logical and appropriate body to be reflected in the Bill as a strong, independent voice.
The only slight worry is that the Royal Society might consider that its freedom of action to criticise the Government’s policy would be compromised by the arrangement. Nevertheless, the amendment is important. We suggested an alternative amendment, which has not been selected. It would have provided the SDC with an independent remit and expertise in a wide range of areas relating to sustainable development. It was an alternative for the Government to reflect on, if they considered that the Royal Society was inappropriate.
I am completely baffled by amendment No. 60, which seems designed to irritate the Scots and the Welsh and to re-impose of central UK authority by the Conservative party. However, since the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle is as baffled by his own amendment as we are, I suggest that we do not spend further time on it.